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It was hardly a glorious failure, the Reds had simply been marginally bested in arguably the most highly-strung title race of the Premier League era.

Neither team conceded an inch during a thrilling run-in that was trademarked by its consistent excellence from both teams.

But while there were no collective honours to be handed out 12 months ago, there were three shiny individual accolades on display for Klopp's players.

Trophies that suggested a glittering future was on the horizon.

Sadio Mane's brace against Wolves took him up to 22 Premier League goals for the season alongside his team-mate Mohamed Salah as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's double for Arsenal at Burnley saw him edge up to the same total.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane of Liverpool with the golden boot at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on May 12, 2019 (Image: Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The Premier League's Golden Boot, then, would be shared three ways.

"Auba scored twice again? At Burnley? Wow, I never would have expected that," Klopp said. "So all my players, eh?”

As Mane and Salah shared the honour with their respective golden baubles, Alisson Becker was given the goalkeeper's equivalent.

The £65m Brazilian had marked his first season in England with the Golden Glove having kept 21 clean sheets and just 22 goals shipped. Alisson became the first Liverpool goalkeeper to win the award since Pepe Reina 11 years earlier.

So while there was to be no glorious climax to the Premier League season for the Liverpool squad, as a whole, the three honours dished out would provide more than a hint of what was to come.

The signs were there for all to see at Anfield a year ago. Even if they were only further pointers to what was already well established - Liverpool were on the right path with Klopp.

Alisson Becker of Liverpool with the golden glove at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolves at Anfield on May 12, 2019 (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"It was big to get over the line and add that first one together as a team and that then gives you all the tools to go on and push on," said James Milner of the success in the Spanish capital on June 1.

Two months later, Liverpool would best Chelsea in a penalty shootout in Istanbul to lift the UEFA Super Cup.

The Anfield trophy room would be furnished further in December when Klopp's players won Liverpool's first-ever Club World Cup in Qatar.

A hard-fought couple of games against Monterrey and Flamengo saw the Reds return to Merseyside as world champions. More silver for the cabinet.